[Anatomic characteristics of lingual artery and midline glossectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between anatomic characteristics of lingual artery and midline glossectomy, for the purpose of increasing operative safety.

METHODS: (1) 16 extraoral dissections of the submandibular region were performed on 8 human cadavers and to observe the origin and distribution of lingual artery. (3) The lingual artery was divided into three segments, and the length and adjacent organs were observed and measured.

RESULTS: The whole length of lingual artery was (92.88 +/- 13.53) mm; At points of foramen cecum of the tongue, 5 mm and 10 mm prior to foramen cecum, 10 mm behind foramen cecum, and at adjacent part between root of the tongue and epiglotic vallecula, the distances between lingual artery and midline of the tongue were separately measured. The distances were (11.00 +/- 4.95) mm, (8.56 +/- 3.51) mm, (7.78 +/- 3.15) mm, (13.00 +/- 3.28) mm, (15.22 +/- 3.11) mm. The distances between lingual artery and the surface of tongue were (21.4 +/- 5.59) mm, (22.11 +/- 6.74) mm, (22.56 +/- 7.81) mm, (16.56 +/- 5.57) mm, (2.56 +/- 0.73) mm respectively.

CONCLUSION: During the midline glossectomy, the lingual artery is easier to be damaged at the position where the root of tongue adjoining epiglottic vallecala. The operation should be done within 10 mm below the surface, 7 mm lateral to the midline, to avoid the damage of lingual artery.